Evaluation of oxidative and antioxidative parameters in generalized anxiety disorder.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder. The exact causes of GAD still unknown, in addition to neurochemical and neuroanatomic disorders, genetic and environmental factors are discussed in etiology. In our study we aimed to evaluate the oxidative metabolism's status and investigate the role of oxidative metabolites in GAD. Blood samples were taken from enrolled subjects in appropriate way and total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) were studied in Harran University Biochemistry Labs. Results were compared between groups. The patients' TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher than control group. The patients' TAS levels were significantly lower than controls'. According to our findings, oxidative stress mechanism might have a role in GAD pathophysiology. In the future, total antioxidants may be used as a biologic marker in GAD etiology but more research is needed.

Decreased serum sulphydryl levels as a sign of increased oxidative stress in generalized anxiety disorder.

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, many published studies have focused on the relationship between oxidative stress and psychiatric disorders. However, studies in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) are few despite relatively high prevalence rates. In an attempt to fill this gap in the literature we aimed to measure serum levels of free sulphydryl, an important member of antioxidant defense mechanisms, of the patients with GAD. METHODS: A total of 35 (23 female, 12 male) GAD patients without any other co-morbid medical or psychiatric disorder and 35 (23 female, 12 male) healthy controls have been included in the study. Disease severity of the patients were quantified by using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Serum free sulphydryl group levels of patients and healthy controls were measured in an appropriate way. RESULTS: Mean level of serum sulphydryl groups was significantly lower in the patient group. There was a negative correlation between their level and the disease duration. However, they did not show any significant correlation with the disease severity. CONCLUSION: Decreased serum sulphydryl level observed in pure GAD patients suggests an increased oxidative stress in these patients. Well designed future researches are needed to replicate our findings and to test the implications of the present study.

Reduced PON1 enzymatic activity and increased lipid hydroperoxide levels that point out oxidative stress in generalized anxiety disorder.

In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) which is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in general population. Psychological, genetic, neurobiological, and neurochemical factors are believed to play role in the etiopathogenesis of GAD. The role of oxidative stress, as a neurochemical cause, in various anxiety disorders has been studied in recent years; however, it has not been thoroughly studied in GAD, yet. In this paper, we aimed to evaluate the serum levels of lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), paraoxonase, and arylesterase in GAD patients without any co-morbid psychiatric disorders and investigate their diagnostic performance. Blood samples were collected from 40 GAD patients and 40 healthy control subjects to measure their serum LOOH levels, arylesterase and paraoxonase activities. Obtained results have been compared between groups and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve has been drawn for diagnostic performance of measured biochemical markers. Positive and negative predictive values have been estimated where appropriate. Mean LOOH level of the GAD patients was significantly higher than that of control subjects (t=-5.49, p<0.001), whereas, mean paraoxonase activity was lower in these patients (t=3.056, p=0.03). GAD could be predicted for LOOH level over 7.740 µmol/l with 92.5% positive predictive value and 92% negative predictive value. Increased LOOH level and decreased paraoxonase activity of GAD patients may suggest increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in these patients. LOOH levels may be a state marker for diagnosing GAD.